One hundred and sixty-five messages requesting letters. I suppose most of you have not read the terms and conditions of the Department, as well as my post explaining the fact that I had to at least temporarily cease letter-making because of busy times.
If you are interested in a PDF-form letter (just as beautiful and unique as a mailed version), please e-mail ministryofmagic.dll(at)gmail.com.
Thank you for your time.
The Department of Lost Letters
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Luca Keefer. I’m a nineteen-year-old, online college student, studying for a BFA in Creative Writing for Entertainment. Harry Potter is my life. The books were my adolescence and the final film - which debuted the summer after my senior year of high school - capped off my childhood. I have read every book, watched every movie, and spent more money than is probably wise on Harry Potter-themed everything.
Over spring break, I went for the first time to the Wizarding World in Orlando. It was like coming home for the first time. I suffer at times debilitating social anxiety and yet never once felt overwhelmed within the park. I was part of the scenery by my second day, dressed in my robes and my house tie. I gave directions to lost guests, posed for a few pictures on request, and even filled people in on when the live shows would be. Like I said, I was at home.
Unfortunately spring break doesn’t constitute real life and I had to leave the one place that made me feel natural. Though I had souvenirs to keep me distracted, nothing was quite the same. A picture is great but being there is incredible.
On December 18th, I returned home again, bringing my twelve-year-old cousin with me. Just as with my first visit, I wore appropriate wizarding attire for a Slytherin like myself. I indoctrinated him into the magic. I bestowed upon him the lore and legend that spills from every crack and crevice of the Wizarding World. I pointed out the subtle things and took him to Ollivander’s where he was chosen by his wand. If anything, it completely topped my first visit to the park.
The next day, I decided to let my little cousin run around the rest of the parks with my mum and grandmother. Meanwhile, I stood for three hours between Gladrags and Scrivenshaft’s. I answered questions about rides, gave directions, and melted into the scenery. I also posed for several dozen photographs ranging from lone shots where the photographer was catching me at a distance to group photos where I was surrounded by entire families. I even had two young siblings come up to me for an autograph. I also had a lovely conversation with one of your Hogwarts Express conductors about what I was doing outside the castle.
There is no question for me about being in character. From the moment I slipped on my tie until the moment I crashed into my hotel room bed, I was one hundred percent in the game. My wand was kept at the ready inside my robe, presented when people inside (and outside) the park asked if I had one. I kept to my character when probed by teenage girls whether I was being paid to act in character or not. It was also the most fun I have had in ages.
So I’m putting this out there.
I love your park. I think the atmosphere is absolutely incredible, the attention to detail is remarkable, and the rides are heart-stopping (in the best of ways). I love the staff inside the shops, restaurant, and working the rides. I love the enthusiasm of your performers. Now I just think there is room for a few more people, people like me.
Think about it.
Out of all of the places in Islands of Adventure, the Wizarding World certainly attracts the most immediate attention. Get to the park at opening on any given day and I bet almost all of the traffic will be heading directly for the gates of Hogsmeade.
So why don’t you add to the atmosphere and also help reduce the unavoidable traffic jams? Why not give the people more immersion and less distraction from the magic of it all? I saw more than one small child asking their parent for a robe after seeing mine. Just imagine what it would be like to have real staff playing the roles I filled.
I’m not asking for much. I mean, I’m going to keep returning to the Wizarding World no matter what. But would a minimum wage salary be that much of a trade-off for better traffic flow and increased revenue? I’m not a business major but I do know a thing or two about satisfying the masses. Let me bring life to Hogsmeade in a whole new way and I’m sure you’ll see drastic, positive change.
Sincerely,
Luca A. Keefer
That’s me. My name is Luca Arcturus Keefer. I’m the man behind the mystery. I faithfully typed every letter that got sent, made the envelopes by hand, sealed them with wax.
Now I’ve returned. To ask for your help.
I’m sure you all realise how much Harry Potter means to me. I wrote over one hundred letters to places like Australia, Scotland, Brazil, Mexico, and more. I still itch to continue the magic of the letters.
But I have found a new way to spread magic.
That second picture is from my trip to the Wizarding World in Florida. That little kid is my twelve-year-old cousin on his first trip there.
I spent three hours standing alone in that spot and allowed several dozen strangers to ask me directions, pose for pictures, and generally pick my brain. I also had two lovely little kids come up for my autograph in their little autograph books
I was paid exactly zero dollars.
I’ve sent a letter to Universal Studios Orlando, however, informing them of the great service I could provide their park.
I know it like the back of my hand. The lore is already inside of my head. You don’t have to ask me to be in character.
All I need is the job to be there for me.
So I ask you all to consider reading my letter to them (which I will post in a moment) and, if you agree, perhaps send them a letter supporting me.
Thank you all for your time.
Keep spreading the magic.
Yours most sincerely,
Luca A. Keefer
Eventually if all goes well. Do consider that all of our supplies, including our master list, is located across the country. If you have updated information, it may be wise to send us that. Also, do consider that we have opened up the instant method whereby we send you a beautiful, unique PDF of the same quality as our printed letters. We can also give you all information you need to print your letter just as we print ours.
Sincerely,
The DLL
No. Short answer: Chaos in real life. Long answer: Mental health problems and moving across the country. Apologies for all of the inconvenience and what not. This is, unfortunately, a side effect of working a job that, instead of paying you, costs you loads of money.
Sincerely,
The DLL
We will get out a letter to you sometime today or tomorrow. The professor’s schedule is currently a bit tight but, never fear, you will not be forgotten. Expect an e-mail from the Ministry of Magic, Department of Lost Letters’ official GMail account by this time tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Sebastian Phoenix
Intern, Ministry of Magic
Department of Lost Letters, Hogwarts Division
If any of you will be at VidCon this Friday and Saturday, try to find us. We’ll be wearing our Slytherin prefect badge.
There is a guaranteed next-day turnaround on all orders placed for PDF letters. Mailed letters are usually at least a full month before they are sent out, occasionally longer if circumstances are not right.
Sincerely,
The Staff
Dear witches, wizards, and Muggles,
We would like to extend a special offer outside of the usual postal option. If you have ordered a letter and not yet received it or if you came after we closed our doors to new orders, we will now reopen them for a certain circumstance. You will still receive a letter with the professor’s signature as well as the Hogwarts’ crest but you will receive it through a PDF sent to you via e-mail. It will look nearly identical to the letters received via mail but it will arrive much more hastily and will also lack a wax seal. If you are interested, please send us a message and (if you are a previous orderer who has yet to receive their letter) include your name so we can check our records for your information.
Thank you for your cooperation, patience, and patronage.
Yours sincerely,
Sebastian Phoenix
Intern, Ministry of Magic
Department of Lost Letters, Hogwarts Division
PS If anyone is swayed by this alone, you will also receive a personalised e-mail from me.
Our email address is ministryofmagic.dll@gmail.com
